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Today at 8am CST, the alluring world of accessories gets a modern facelift! Needle’s Haystack, a Dallas-born online marketplace designed exclusively for jewelry lovers & designers, opens their e-doors!… and selfishly, we wanted to be the first to tell you!

Despite the extreme pressures of starting a successful business, Stephen Lehn, CEO of Needle’s Haystack, took time out of his busy day to chat with us about his recent venture, what’s hot for spring, and what he’s offering every Runway Diaries reader!

Clad in his usual t-shirt & jeans, we first asked Lehn what lead him to such a feminine-driven line of work. Lehn describes his past frustrations with “finding the perfect piece of jewelry” for his mother’s birthday (aw!) like “finding a needle in a haystack.” Without the time to scour countless overpriced boutiques, estate sales, and local market vendors, his chances of finding something smashingly original were looking grim. Realizing that he probably wasn’t the only 20-something male searching for “a needle in a haystack,” Lehn set out to create the only marketplace devoted entirely to talented jewelry designers & stumbled upon a catchy name on the way! He quickly learned that not only were gift-searching males delighted with his discovery, but fashionistas of all ages quickly turned to Needle’s Haystack for their adorning needs!

Lehn gave us an insider heads up on what’s hot for spring in accessories; “Honey suckle is a popular color choice for spring 2011” and consumers can’t seem to stock up enough on “chunky bracelets.” He added that the “statement necklaces” we saw in fall are still very on-trend, but have updated their look with the addition of beautifully placed semi-precious stones. [TRD find: Sunshine Necklace, $78.65, designed by Jewels For Hope. We love the whimsical feel of this perfect-for-spring semi-precious statement necklace.]

And for you talented designers, Needle’s Haystack is always looking for new designers to easily offer their unique creations to the e-commerce community, 24 hours a day, in just a few clicks! They add new products daily, so it’s never too late to become a Needle’s Haystack Seller!

The best part? Lehn is generously offering The Runway Diaries readers a $5 gift card towards their purchase at NeedlesHaystack.com! Use promo code “ENJOY5DOLLARS” when checking out.

With the big feast brewing in the oven, I felt it only appropriate to discuss some Turkey-friendly fashion options for tonight’s festivities. Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning for tonight:

1. Make sure and leave some room to grow! Though it may look super cute in the mirror around 3pm, the post-stuffing distention will be anything but pleasant in that fitted cashmere top come 9pm. Opt for something adjustable: a belted flowy blouse paired with a bright cardigan, or a loose tunic top over leggings. Check out this Dancing Blooms Cardi, $128, available at Anthropologie.com.

2. Layer. You might feel a bit warm while eating that hot stuffing and pumpkin pie, but once digestion starts (about 20-30 minutes after eating), blood flow will rush from your extremities to your gut, causing you to get pretty chilly. Laying is a great way to combat this.

3. Add some sparkle! Please don’t parade around like a disco ball, but adding a little bit of flair to your fashion is especially encouraged during the holidays. I suggest picking one ornate item and then building your outfit around that. Try this gorgeous pair of Pyrite Teardrop Earrings by Alexis Bittar, $235, available at NeimanMarcus.com with matching Crystal Encrusted Gold Pyrite Ring (pictured above), $275, AlexisBittar.com; or this Sequin Jacket, $79.50, available at VictoriasSecret.com.

Most importantly, have a wonderful time with family, friends and loved ones. After all, if you can’t give thanks for the people around you, this entire holiday is a little pointless 🙂 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!